Maintenance interval timer and method of monitoring maintence intervals

Abstract

The present invention relates to a timing device for determining maintenance intervals of maintenance-sensitive equipment. The timing device has a casing, an integrated circuit, a liquid crystal display connecting to the integrated circuit, a light emitting diode connecting to the integrated circuit, a power source connecting to the integrated circuit, a starting means, and a fixing means. The device measures a predetermined period of time and alerts a user when the predetermined period of time is achieved or soon to be achieved. The invention also relates to a method of monitoring maintenance intervals of maintenance-sensitive equipment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A timing device for determining maintenance intervals of maintenance-sensitive equipment, comprising: 
 a casing;    an integrated circuit;    a liquid crystal display connecting to the integrated circuit;    a light emitting diode connecting to the integrated circuit;    a power source connecting to the integrated circuit;    a starting means; and    a fixing means,    wherein the device measures a predetermined period of time and alerts a user of a time relative to the predetermined period of time.    
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the maintenance-sensitive equipment is medical equipment.  
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device measures the predetermined period of time in reverse starting from a higher numerical value and counting to a lower numerical value.  
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal display shows a time interval.  
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the time interval is an amount of time remaining until the predetermined period of time is achieved.  
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the liquid crystal display shows a target date.  
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal display shows a text message, one or more symbols, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting diode lights up to alert the user when a set period of time before the predetermined period of time is reached.  
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting diode lights up to alert the user when the predetermined period of time is reached.  
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the power source is a battery.  
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the starting means is a pull tab.  
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the pull tab comprises plastic, paper or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixing means is on a back side of the device.  
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the fixing means is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, double-sided tape and one or more screws.  
     
     
         15 . A method for monitoring maintenance intervals of maintenance-sensitive equipment, comprising 
 adhering a device to the maintenance-sensitive equipment, wherein the device comprises: 
 a casing,  
 an integrated circuit,  
 a liquid crystal display connecting to the integrated circuit,  
 a light emitting diode connecting to the integrated circuit,  
 a power source connecting to the integrated circuit,  
 a starting means, and  
 a fixing means;  
   initiating the integrated circuit via the starting means to measure a predetermined period of time;    observing on the liquid crystal display a time relative to the predetermined period of time; and    performing maintenance on the maintenance-sensitive equipment when the light emitting diode lights up.    
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the maintenance-sensitive equipment is medical equipment.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the device measures the predetermined period of time in reverse starting from a higher numerical value and counting to a lower numerical value.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the liquid crystal display shows a time interval.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the time interval is an amount of time remaining until the predetermined period of time is achieved.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the light emitting diode lights up when a set period of time before the predetermined period of time is reached.